Finland-Sweden rail link to open in August

Finland and Sweden will launch daily passenger rail service between Oulu and Haparanda on 10 August, following the signing of a transport procurement agreement between national rail operator VR and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.

VR stated that the launch required close cooperation with Finnish and Swedish authorities, particularly on customs and border-crossing procedures. Tickets for the route will go on sale next Tuesday, with full timetables available on VR’s website and app.

The service will run 28 times weekly, with two departures in each direction every day. Funding for the connection comes from the Finnish state, the cities of Oulu and Tornio, and the Meri-Lapland development centre.